In this issue:

USS BREMERTON

Thrift Savings Plan

Legislative Action

Team (LAT)

Nomination Committee

Installation Banquet

Golf Tournament December Birthdays PAC Report

Big Al's Recipe

President’s Message

Next General Meeting

Board Members

Newsletter Contact

Reminders:

The 2004 Mid-

Year Conference

will be held in

Hawaii in March at

the Sheraton Hotel

Contact any Board

Member if you would

like to contribute to

FMA-PAC

For the latest

information visit

the Chapter 19

website

http://fmachapter19

.org

Reminder: those

who do not use

Payroll or

PHFCU allotment

to pay dues that

they are due 31

December 2003

FEDERAL MANAGERS ASSOCIATION Chapter 19

VOL 11-03 NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2003

At the October General Membership Meeting Chapter 19 hosted guest

speakers from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) Lessons Learned Visit Team. Forty-two supervisors, zone managers, project managers, and other shipyard specialists have visited Portsmouth to acquire business practices that could be exported and used on Pearl Harbor submarine availabilities. Team members from Pearl Harbor have been shadowing key PNSY project personnel who are managing the successful USS NORFOLK ERO and USS ANNAPOLIS DMP projects

Bob Myers, Wayne Wilcox, Willy Iao, and Tom Broussard briefed the membership on the hundreds of lessons learned ideas captured by the team during their visit.

Of special note were the specifics of the Portsmouth on-line (live) discrepancy tracking system (DTR) that provides live information on Discrepancy Logs (D/Ls) as engineering and planning personnel process them. The system eliminates the “wasted leg work” of chasing down D/L submittal/resolution status by providing project managers with instantaneous on-line information.

An improved TWD certification checklist adds much needed structure to the TWD certification procedure by providing in-process signature verification for certification steps. The improved checklist ensures that a document is complete and ready before starting entering it’s final certification review.

(continued on page 2)

(l to r) USS BREMERTON team Tom Broussard, Bob Myers,

Wayne Wilcox and Willy Iao

USS BREMERTON Team

Extracts Lessons Learned

2

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

TSP Open Season will end on

31 December 2003. TSP is the federal employees' version of a 401(k). Employees make pre-tax contributions and receive tax-deferred earnings. The long awaited TSP record keeping changes have been implemented and TSP will be issuing quarterly statements for periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.

Statements will also be made available at the TSP website www.tsp.gov. The maximum contribution amounts will increase to 14% for FERS employees and 9% for CSRS employees. The maximum contribution in dollars is $13,000.

In addition, employees 50 years and over can make catch up contributions to their accounts, but only if they are contributing the maximum regular contributions. Maximum catch-up contributions for 2003 is $2,000 and for $3,000 for 2004. A new election for catch-up contributions must be made each year.

(continuation from page 1) The expanded use of pre-engineered repairs allows for contingency repair steps and prevents unnecessary work stoppages as supervisors and mechanics no longer have to wait for “as found” reports to trigger repair procedures. Portsmouth’s Corrective Action Tests (CATS) procedure provides the proper urgency and visibility for test failures. Any test failure equates to lost time in schedule and excessive labor charges. By assigning CAT items the highest priority in engineering and in the shops the test program is advanced significantly. Auto reports for critical project data give project managers a real time view of what is occurring with critical project parameters allowing them to make quick adjustments in day-to-day priorities and focus.

The many items collected will provide an opportunity for PHNSY & IMF to leverage the success at Portsmouth for the benefit of our own projects. A table is being assembled to catalog these valuable lessons learned. Our members will review the table, evaluate the findings, and implement the improvement ideas wherever feasible.

Thanksgiving dinners

take eighteen hours to

prepare. They are

consumed in twelve

minutes. Half-times

take twelve minutes.

This is not

coincidence.

~Erma Bombeck

3

Elections for New Chapter 19 Officers Chapter 19 Bylaws require that the Nominating Committee consisting of Eric Kimura, John Priolo and Shelley Kaya, present a slate of officers for election at the October General Membership meeting. The following slate was presented:

President Wayne Wilcox 1

st Vice President Brendan Cravalho, Dan Yamane, Brian Yim

2nd

Vice President Clem Lopez Treasurer Nolan Chang Corresponding Secretary Ed Lum Recording Secretary Eric Kimura Sergeant at Arms Kimo McClellan Director Mike Pia Director Owen Okumura

Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the November General Membership Meeting. For contested seats, a ballot election will be at the December General Membership Meeting. The 2004 Installation Luncheon will be held on 10 January 2004. See the following page for details. Note: Since the Zone 7 President John Priolo is a member of Chapter 19 he will automatically continue to serve as a Director without election.

Legislative Action Team (LAT)

Celebrates Stunning Accomplishments By Nolan Chang

LAT members are finally enjoying the fruits of their labor on a couple of issues. As you know, a team is currently conducting a study to determine the feasibility of home porting an aircraft carrier at PHNSY & IMF. We have learned that not one, but a number of Virginia Class submarines will be stationed in Pearl Harbor! The LAT has been providing pivotal input on personnel management issues and continues to push for locality pay, which would result in an increase of retirement annuity. Earlier this year a visioning team assembled by the FMA helped the PHNSY & IMF develop a strategic plan, paving the way toward a bright and productive future. Many of these issues have been proposed, discussed and litigated for a number of years, and the tide is finally beginning to turn. This has truly been a year to remember thanks to the efforts of our LAT. In celebration of the stunning accomplishments the LAT has achieved, a luncheon has been set for Sunday, December 28, 1100 hours at the Hale Koa Hotel. The menu includes grilled flank steak and broiled mahi-mahi filet, served on spicy fried noodles and sautéed zucchini with tomatoes, soup, salad and fruit sherbet on a chocolate meringue nest. The cost of the luncheon including gratuity is $17.50 per person.

Board members will be in attendance, and all of our congressional representatives have been invited to join the festivities. If you are interested in participating, please submit your RSVP to Nolan Chang (474-9433, or e--mail) by 5 December 2003. Seating is limited, so sign up early. What was once thought impossible, is now possible thanks to our congressional delegation and the incredible LAT.

4

Date: Saturday, January 10, 2004

Time: 11:00 No-host Cocktails/Social Hour; 12:00-14:00 –Lunch/Program

Place: Haleiwa Joe’s at Haiku Gardens, Kaneohe

Cost: FMA Members $15; Guests/Non-members $25 If paying by check, make payable to FMA Chapter 19

Buffet: Salads and Fresh Breads, Seared Premium Ahi with Wasabi-Ranch Dip, Cognac Infused Grilled Tenderloin, Coconut Shrimp with Sweet & Spicy Sauce, Fresh Sautéed Vegetables, Island Rice and Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Cake and Beverages

Deadline: 19 December 2004

Contacts: Barbara Angelo 487-5970 or Bridgit Bales 239-6433

Mail payment and names to:

Barbara Angelo 47-138 Kaimalolo St. Aiea, HI 96701

OR Bridgit Bales 99-023 Iwaiwa Way Kaneohe, HI 96744

Provide name(s) of attendees and note if they are a Member (M), Guest (G), or Non-Member (NM)

Note: Tables for 4, 6, or 8 people can be reserved.

1. ____________________________________________ _________

2. ____________________________________________ _________

3. ____________________________________________ _________

4. ____________________________________________ _________

5. ____________________________________________ _________

6. ____________________________________________ _________

7. ____________________________________________ _________

8. ____________________________________________ _________

Amount Enclosed: $_________________

2004 INSTALLATION LUNCHEON Federal Managers Association, Chapter 19

5

6th Annual Golf Tournament The 6

th Annual Pearl Harbor Naval

Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Activity Golf Tournament, chaired by FMA Chapter 19 Director Mike Pia, was held on 13 October 2003 at beautiful Makaha Valley Country Club. The tournament, open to all civilian and military employees and guests, was the largest ever with 144 participants teeing off starting at 0750 hours. The overall winner, by random selection, was Shop 98 Rigger Supervisor Gilbert Gould. Commander Thomas Bravarone, Deputy Project Superintendent on the USS BUFFALO, was the first place winner. Miles Kotoshirodo, Code 710 Division Head, was closest to the pin on the 17

th hole. His five iron shot ended up

16 inches from the pin. Miles felt he was fortunate staying out of trouble with trees on the left and a water hazard on the right and was rewarded with an easy putt for a birdie.

Organizations that contributed to this annual event were Pearl Harbor Morale Welfare and Recreation, Pearl Harbor Federal Credit Union, and the Federal Managers Association Chapter 19. In addition Theresa Hess donated cosmetic packages from her business "Shear Genius Hair Cutters."

Volunteers included Owen and Marion Okumura, Stephen and Mary Lorenzo, Susema Kapoi, Keoki Lopez, TinaRei Pia and Barbara Angelo on the par threes. Warren Sunada and Holden Labrie took care of the refreshment table. Jerry Mershon set up the awards table. Carolyn Denny and Eric Kimura handled the camera and water. Gloria Uyehara, Nadine Bayne, Fred Bailey, and Mike Kikuyama took care of registration and Gloria, Warren, Eric and Bruce Nakano awards.

6

Happy Birthday to all those born in December!

Happy Birthday

12/2 Vincent Chong, Jr.

12/3 George Nakashima

12/8 Edwin Pimentel Jr.

12/8 Ronald Takashima

12/9 Jose Vargas-Lebron

12/11 Clement Lopez, Jr.

12/11 Dennis Loveland

12/11 George Wilcox

12/12 Donald Yasutake

12/14 Gene Armacost

12/16 Calvin Endo

12/16 John Kasaoka

12/17 Alfred Willing

12/19 David Stock

12/20 Halldor Hintze

12/20 Peter Krape

12/22 John Priolo

12/24 Michael Geffen

12/24 Karl Katto

12/28 Barbara Paris

12/29 Kevin Correa

FMA-PAC is the political arm of our organization. FY04 contributions as of 1 November 2003:

FMA-PAC

CONTRIBUTOR TOTAL

Freeman Correa $50

John Priolo $35

Mike Pia $20

Frank Dietz $20

Keith Galang $2

W. Anonymous $2

TOTAL $129

Big Al's

Portuguese Bean Soup

2 lb. Portuguese sausage, cut into 1/4 inch pieces

1 lb. ham hock

1 onion diced

2 quarts water

2 carrots, diced

3 potatoes, diced

1 small cabbage, chopped

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

2 cans (15 oz. can) red kidney beans, including

liquid

1/2 cup pre-cooked elbow macaroni (optional)

4 bay leafs

Add salt as needed to taste, (Note: Portuguese

sausage has lots of salt)

Put sausage, ham hock, and onion into a large saucepot, and add water. Cover and cook on low

heat for 1 hour. Remove meat from bone of ham hock and cut in pieces. Put meat back into

soup, add carrots, potatoes and tomato sauce. Cover and continue cooking for 1½ hours

stirring occasionally until carrots and potatoes are almost cooked. Stir beans including liquids

and add elbow macaroni and cook a few more minutes, adding more water if necessary.

(Serves 12)

Annual Portuguese Sausage

Christmas Charity Fundraiser Thank you to all who participated in the 15 November Sausage Sale. If you'd like a great recipe for the sausages you bought, try Al Visitacion's (Code 300) Portuguese

bean soup.

7

Thanks to the hard work of Chapter 307 President Diana Smith and her spouse Bruce Reed the annual Joint Zone 6/7/8 Meeting details have been established as follows: Date: Saturday, 17 January 2004 Location: Holiday Inn, Fisherman's Warf, San Francisco. Call 1-800-942-7348 for reservations by 15 December 2003. Discounted rate of $110/night, single/double, is available for 16-18 January. Ask for the FMA Zone Meeting Rate. Registration: $75 prior to 15 December 2003 (late registration is $90). Send your check payable to Bruce Reed, 1253 Hale Street, Vallejo, CA 94591. This covers the cost of lunch and the meeting room. Additional Information: Zone 6 will be joining Zones 7 and 8 who have been meeting for several years. Time will be allotted for separate Zone Meetings. The main order of business will be to discuss Issue Briefs that will be used during our Day on the Hill in March. Each Chapter representative will be given an opportunity to present a verbal report on his or her activities. There will be ample opportunity to network and find our what other Chapters are doing. Our National President and either our Executive Director or Governmental Affairs Representative will participate. Contact FMAChapter307@earthlink.net for additional information Leftovers

A suddenly popular quote attributed to Aristotle, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit" is being used by speakers from football coaches to law enforcement officials. Allow me to use my favorite sport, baseball, to provide an example. The California Angles won the 2002 World Series in a significant upset. Their plan was to hang around, work deep into every count, wear out the starting pitcher and beat up the middle relief. With the watering down of talent even the best teams, while possessing strong starting pitching and an outstanding closer, have a weakness in middle relief (the guy who comes in around the fifth or sixth inning and is expected to hold the opposition until the closer is reached in the eight or ninth). Not exactly a complex strategy but one they executed to perfection. As they moved through the playoffs and the Series they built momentum, actions became habits, resulting in a self-reinforcing cycle of achievement. Once they caught up in game six of the series, even loyal Giant fans knew they would win.

ZoNews

By John Priolo President’s Message

On 27 March 1794, the Congress of the United States authorized construction of six large frigates to form the principal ships of a navy that could counter the attacks of the Barbary pirates on American ships. The act stipulated that the six frigates would be built in six different states. The shipyards building the frigates were either to be government owned or leased, and government-employed naval constructors and Naval officers would supervise construction. Because the United States could not match foreign navies (like Great Britain) in numbers, the design of the ships was that if they couldn’t out gun an enemy frigate, they could out run it. In 1795, with a peace treaty with the Bey of Algeria imminent, construction stopped on three of the six frigates and three of the shipyards were paid off. In 1798, with American ships then being taken by French privateers, work was restarted in those paid off shipyards. The ships authorized by the Naval Act of 1794 played a key role in establishing a tradition of victory and excellence that this Navy is indebted to today. I tell this bit of history because it points out a few things that we still do today as well as point out some valuable lessons that people should keep in mind today. First, the Naval Act of 1794 was probably one of the earliest examples of congressional pork, i.e., sharing the work over a number of states. We still follow that pattern today. Second, when the war or danger is over, people are quick to try to downsize the Navy. Our downsizing in 1995 wasn’t the first and it probably won’t be the last. Downsizing isn’t always a good idea. As history showed, within a few years an unexpected opponent arose that again required a Navy. Third, in 1794 Congress decided the construction of the nation’s most important fighting ships should be under the supervision of professional naval officers and government naval constructors at government shipyards. Congress desired that key capability be under government control. It was a dangerous world in the 1790s for the United States, but the nation survived and prospered in part because of the wise decisions of Congress. Those that are advocating giving away the current public shipyard depot capability to private shipyards would be wise to consider the insight of that early Congress. Congress sometimes gets it right, even today.

By Eric Kimura

8

BOARD MEMBERS Eric Kimura President 473-8000 X2883 Wayne Wilcox 1

st VP 473-8000 X3372

Owen Okumura 2nd

VP 577-0808 pager Yvonne Ajimura Treasurer 488-0613 Wil Castro Recording Sec 671-1562 Edmund Lum Corresp Sec 473-8000 X3057 Clem Lopez Sgt-at-Arms 473-8000 X9250 Shelley Kaya Director 473-8000 X2939 Michael Pia Director 577-0322 pager John Priolo Director 474-8477

NEWSLETTER CONTACT

The FMA Newsletter is published monthly. Articles are due by close of business at the General Meeting. Please send them to Eric Kimura (kimuraey@phnsy.navy.mil). Your comments are always welcome.

Pamela Dittrick……….Editor (541-2296)

Next General Meeting Date: Thursday, 20 November 2003 Time: Doors open at 1530 hours Place: Ho’aloha Room, Shipyard Cafeteria Cost: Food and refreshments are available for $3

FEDERAL MANAGERS ASSOCIATION Chapter 19 P.O. Box 1685 Pearl City, HI 96782

Address correction requested

Happy Thanksgiving